by Andrew Alonzo | aalonzo@claremont-courier.com

The 2.3-mile A Line extension from Pomona to Claremont inched closer to reality May 27 when the Metro Gold Line Foothill Extension Construction Authority awarded a construction manager contract to SSH Joint Venture.

The $6.3-million contract is the last of two major deals in advance the project, one for a design and engineering services contractor and this latest for construction management. Construction on the Pomona-Claremont segment is projected to start in 2027 and would span about four years, with completion in late 2031.

“This is the first step that we needed to take in order to get a hard bid for the project so that we can go into construction in early 2028,” said Construction Authority CEO Habib Balian. “Back in January of this year, we hired [Parsons Transportation Group] to complete the design, and now we’re hiring this construction manager who will look over the shoulder of the designer and begin to evaluate that design and put an estimate to it. They will look at something like 3,000 line items of the budget that go into the project construction and then they will determine an estimate and they will propose that to the Construction Authority in the fall of 2027.”

Once the final design reaches 85% completion, SSH Joint Venture will negotiate a construction services contract. Should they come up with a favorable estimate, “They will be the only ones bidding the job,” Balian said. “The construction authority will give to them a signed contract for a fixed amount to build the project. Within that, they’re in charge of every aspect of construction, … but they will, of course, put together a bid, and that is a huge effort on a project of this size. And then in addition to that they will oversee every aspect of construction, from building parking structures to putting in the tracks and power substations to laying the rail to building the stations, installing artwork — every aspect of it will be done by this contractor.”

LA Metro and the Construction Authority say the A Line — with 48 stations along nearly 58 miles — is the world’s longest light-rail line. The latest extension from Azusa opened in September 2025, adding stops in Glendora, San Dimas, La Verne and Pomona.

If the Construction Authority balks at SSH’s construction services contract it reserves the right to terminate services with SSH and go out for additional bids, Balian said.

“The Construction Authority was looking for a team that would not only provide great value during the initial preconstruction phase, but one that would do an excellent job building the project if they are successful at negotiating a construction contract with us next year,” wrote Construction Authority Board Chair and Claremont Vice Mayor Ed Reece in a statement. “And I am pleased that we had a highly competitive procurement that saw four qualified teams vying for the work. We are confident that SSH is an excellent selection, and we look forward to their efforts in the months ahead that will support the best design possible while also developing the best approach to building this important regional project.”

Funds for the Pomona-Claremont segment, about $800 million from Senate Bill 125 monies, were awarded to the Construction Authority in 2024. About $200 million has been used or earmarked thus far for design, acquisitions, and permits.

The Construction Authority’s Chief Project Officer Chris Burner told the Daily Bulletin work on the new segment to Claremont will include bridges over Garey and Towne avenues and Indian Hill Boulevard, and the relocation of Metrolink and freight tracks.

The stop in Claremont will complement the city’s current Metrolink station at the Claremont Depot, 200 W. First St. The neighboring A Line stop in Pomona also doubles as a Metrolink station.

Questions remain about the A Line’s extension into Montclair.

Although the Construction Authority was given the green light to build the extension from Claremont to Montclair, funding and support from the San Bernardino County Transportation Authority remains elusive. Nine months ago the San Bernardino County agency voted 15-11 to withhold funding for that project in favor of studying other transit options.